Council's care home proposals 'shocking' says MP

Local MP Tim Farron has today written to the county council to express his concern over proposals which would cause financial distress for elderly people in care homes in South Lakeland or force them to move away from their friends and family to another part of the county.

At the moment the council exercises discretion when it comes to funding care home places which cost more than its "usual price". Care homes in South Lakeland tend to be more expensive than elsewhere in the county because of the higher capital costs in this part of the county.

In its 2010/11 draft budget the council are proposing removing this discretion, leaving vulnerable elderly people having to find the money to top-up that provided by the council or finding themselves forced to move to a care home elsewhere in the county.

Commenting, Tim said, "This proposal would have a huge and disproportionate impact on those seeking elderly care in the south of the county. The effect of these proposals would have on one of the most vulnerable groups in society would be shocking. That is why I am asking that the council reconsiders its position and removes this proposal from its 2010/11 budget."